Barely has one wave of free agency speculation passed, when another blindsides NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
Last week, the Auckland NRL club secured veteran second-rower Kurt Capewell for another season, perhaps the last big name taken off the market for next season. Only centre Rocco Berry remains and he has two months to shake off his injury woes to push his claims for a contract extension.
This week, more names have popped up on social media channels as potential Warriors targets, including two of the biggest in rugby league – Nathan Cleary and Joseph Manu.
Webster is adamant they have spoken to neither and, in Cleary’s case, they cannot do so for another three months, until the 1 November free-agency window opens.
“We’re definitely not in talks with Nathan Cleary and none of his representation have contacted us – and it’s not even legal,” he said. “It can’t even happen.
“Everyone’s trying to guess what Nathan’s doing, I guess, and they can see the romance in the Warriors. I see the romance in that scenario.
“He went to school here, he was a ballboy here – I can see why they would put two and two together, but there’s certainly nothing in that at all.”
Cleary, 28, spent much of his childhood at Mt Smart, while dad Ivan played and then coached at the club, helping it to the only two grand final appearances in its history. Both have since created a dynasty at Penrith Panthers, including four straight championships.
Younger brother Jett is working his way through the grades at the Warriors and is due to take up a full contract next season, as part of his development.
Nathan Cleary’s contract ends at the Panthers next season and Ivan has also indicated he will step down as coach at that time, so speculation over their futures is rife.
The Warriors roster is currently stacked with halves, but incumbents Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita have only extended for next season, leaving a potential opening there, if Cleary were to cross the Tasman.
“I can’t give it any more fire, because it’s not existent,” Webster said.
Playing mainly at centre, Manu, 30, logged 180 games for Sydney Roosters between 2016-24, winning two premierships, before switching codes to play rugby in France.
Kiwi Joseph Manu is considering his options, after three seasons in French rugby.
Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
With his season at Racing 92 over, he has visited Papua New Guinea and seems likely to sign the newest NRL expansion team, when they enter the competition in 2028. That would leave him a gap year, if that’s the decision he makes.
“I’m guessing, if it’s about money, then no-one’s going to compete with Papua New Guinea, but if it’s about football, I hope he would like to contact us and say, ‘Do you guys want my services?’.
“I don’t know what his plans are around rugby – I don’t have a clue.”
While these two possible additions are mouthwatering, the prospect of losing a couple has also been floated.
Hooker Wayde Egan, who has made 138 appearances for the Warriors since 2020, has been linked with a possible move to St George-Illawarra Dragons or Brisbane Broncos.
Again, that conversation can’t legally take place until 1 November and the Warriors have a chance to trump that before then.
“Everyone told me all year we were going to lose all these players, and I was confident we would chat through that and have the right conversations at the right time,” Webster said. “Put it this way, we have no intention for that to happen.
“I’m not nervous about it, simply because the rumour around Nathan is not right as well. Wherever these are coming from, I’m sure people are bored and come up with them.”
One player that may be looking elsewhere is promising forward Kayliss Fatialofa, who reportedly had a clause in his current contract that allowed him to test the market, if he hadn’t made his first-grade debut by Round 15 this season.
The Warriors first-grade line-up has been hit by injury and Origin absences over the past two months, and Fatialofa has been named on the interchange bench a few times, without ever quite making it onto the field.
Webster confirmed the ‘out’ clause, but also hoped his player would choose to stay.
Kayliss Fatialofa hasn’t quite made it onto the field for the Warriors first-grade side, but has starred for their reserves.
AAP/Photosport
“We want Kayliss to stay, but he has an opportunity to look around, that’s the truth,” he said. “He hasn’t debuted yet, but his long-term pathway looks exciting, so we’re hoping he stays.”
Webster agreed the NRL’s continued expansion had created an active market that suited players like Fatialofa looking to fast-track their careers.
The Dolphins entered the competition in 2023, Perth Bears will arrive next season, with the PNG Chiefs due the year after.
“If anyone knows Kayliss, he has a good head on his shoulders and he assesses the situation,” Webster said. “I know he enjoys it here.
“I want them to be patient, because I genuinely see the path forward for them, but they may see their path different and I can’t begrudge them that.
“I might be wrong and, if he goes in a different direction, that might be just what he needs, but I’m probably a bit biased – I think this programme’s pretty good. If he hangs around, I think he’s going to get what he wants.”